Major Gearbox Fluid Leak - help!

[Dark Star]

Had hoped my first posting would would be to introduce myself and my new pride and joy 1997 VR4 however I too have a gear box problem!

Took delivery of my fresh import on Saturday, drove from Andover to Bristol. Had bad vibration at 70 mph. Continuing home the automatic gearbox got whiney and on arriving home she was smelling and dropping a lot of gearbox oil - to the point she is now empty.

She has full Japanese servce history and has had the turbos replaced (on mechanical experts advice) by the dealers.

I have contacted the dealers (Sentinel Cars in Andover) they have offered to recover her and have Millway Vehicle Specialists (their usual garage) assess her and if main dealer attention required send her to Mill Lane main dealers. Does anyone have any experience of these two places?

I would really welcome your advice of what I should be ensuring happens to avoid any future problems - I don't want to have to let my Legnum go

[SGHOM]

torque converter seal.... it's a common problem. £10 for the seal, but it's gearbox out to access it.

[Dark Star]

Thanks for the quick reply! What chances of damage to the gearbox seeing as it has run very low on the fluid - to give you a better idea there is none showing on the dip stick and some was still dripping out when I stopped.

[SGHOM]

I've run mine virtually empty, but it survived. If you have just bought the car, take it back & make them do it. They wont like you for it.... it's a biatch of a job.

[Dark Star]

Thanks very much, I have arranged for it to go back to them so they can repair it. Will let you know how it goes.

[peter thomson]

Hi and to the club.

[TAR]

Hi and welcome to the club.

I hope they fix your gearbox problem without any fuss.

Make sure that they know you will require some sort of warranty on the box after it is fixed. I am guessing you paid top dollar for it from an importer and so you should expect it to be a good car.

Also as far as trade sales go, the vehicle must be fit for its intended use so the gearbox must be fully functional. You can reject the car if it fails to meet that standard.

[Nick Mann]

Some good advice above. And probably very correct!

Welcome to the forums, too!

[eonymc]

did not mean to be rude earlier im new to this myself and the car i baught privet two months ago is ****ed gearbox gone and cant afort to replace it prob end up brakeing it. buy an old school galant tell i can afford one.
get the car back to who ever you baught it off pronto and expect worranty at least i have not found a box or even got a price after 3 weeks search.
there are plenty of good heads and good info on here welcome

[White Lightning]

I have contacted the dealers (Sentinel Cars in Andover) they have offered to recover her and have Millway Vehicle Specialists (their usual garage) assess her and if main dealer attention required send her to Mill Lane main dealers. Does anyone have any experience of these two places?

Ah, Millway. Yes, I have been there quite a few times over the years. Back in the day when I had my 620ti I used to go there quite regular with the Rover guys for rolling road days. They also set my boost controller up on the rolling road once and seemed to get that spot on. They were always very helpful and knowledgable. That said, I have never taken my VR-4 there just because it's quite a long way from here and I know that the RR is 2WD only. But in the past when I have been there I have seen Skylines, MR2s and the like in for major jobs so that should be OK with Jap cars.

[snickells]

I had exactly the same problem when I brought my leggie over from Japan. ATF was bleeding from the box so I had a filler and bottle in the boot to fill up on the road! Had the seal replaced and there hasn't been a problem since. Good luck!

[Dark Star]

Thanks to everyone for their support. The problem has been resolved of sorts! Millway couldn't do the work and she ended up somewhere in Southampton to be sorted. Lost my confidence in both car and the traders to resolving the problem- getting my money back!

But the good news is I have sourced an even better specimen and will have her in the New Year - I look forward to reintroducing myself with my lovely Legnum in 2008!

Wishing everyone in the club a cool Christmas and great New Year

[Kieran]

A bittersweet ending - Mind you at least you've got your cash back!

Hopefully your next Legnum will be better behaved!

[KHK]

i imported 2 vr4 myself with no problem with AT gear box
what auction grading of your vr4 when u bought it?
any onsite inspection by u or your agent before purchase?
the problem can be avoided in the purchase